THE Heads of the Valleys Road will be fully closed over the weekend, before a series of overnight closures at the start of next week.

The A465 will be shut between Brynmawr and Gilwern from 8.30pm on Friday, March 23 until 6am on Monday, March 26.

“The closure is required for the installation of Blackrock pedestrian footbridge across the full width of the A465 at the Old Drum and Monkey and removal of the temporary Bailey bridge near the Brynmawr roundabout,” said a spokesman from Costain.

“On Saturday morning – 9am to 12pm – during the road closure this weekend, we will be implementing a rescue drill on the Gateway Bridge,” he added.

“This health and safety training exercise will involve a ‘training dummy’ suspended from the bridge in a harness where a rescue exercise will take place.

“Please do not be alarmed or call emergency services, this is a rescue drill.”

There is a suggested diversion route and crossovers in Clydach.

Overnight closures between 8.30pm and 6am will start on March 26 and finish on Wednesday, March 28.

“The closures will commence at 8.30pm with the road reopening by 6am the following morning, “ added the spokesman.

“The overnight road closures are required for continuing works on the Gateway Arch Bridge and finishing works to the initial phase of Blackrock footbridge installation.

“These works will be carried out at height and we require the road below to be closed to protect the travelling public and the team.”